Toast and Travel's Top 10 Destinations for 2020
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At the start of every year I love reading the top travel destinations for the new year that almost every travel online publication puts out. From CNN to CNTraveler to Frommer’s to New York Times, I probably spend hours pouring over all their lists and data. Its just so interesting to understand why each location has made it onto a particular list and it’s a great way to find out about where I should potentially travel during the year. Although I typically already have an idea of the places I want to visit, I always leave a few weekends open just for destinations that have made it onto a Top 20 list. Thanks to CN Traveler’s Top 20 List, I’ve decided to visit Lexington so look forward to my Kentucky adventures later this year! Since I’ve been obsessed with these lists for quite a while now, I thought it would be a fun idea to put together my own list of Top 10 Destinations I think are great for 2020 travel. I’ve chosen these places based on my own preferences and major events happening around the world and not on any data collected. I also tried to balance my list out with domestic and international locations.
Tokyo, Japan
Gymnastics, Basketball, Swimming, Beach Volleyball. All your favorite cities and all your favorite top athletes in one city for 2 weeks. That’s what Tokyo’s going to be all about this summer as it hosts the 2020 Summer Olympics. Attending a summer Olympics is something that can only happen once every 4 years and what better way to experience the Olympics than in a city known for efficient public transportation, quirky cafes like the Robot Cafe, and cuisine that includes takoyaki balls and ramen? Tokyo has been trending in recent years as foreign tourists start to realize that its a convenient “gateway” city to Asia since its extremely easy to navigate and the language barrier isn’t a big deal at all as mostly everyone is able to speak English. Its uniqueness lies mainly in its culture which includes the likes of Pokemon, anime, themed cafes, and manga. Its also home to the DisneySea theme park, a theme park that isn’t anywhere else in the world! So whether you’re wanting to see Olympic athletes compete at their sport or slurp rainbow colored noodles at Robot Cafe or just thrive in the hustle and bustle that is Shinjuku, Tokyo tops the list of 2020 destinations.
Dubai
Not to be outdone by the Olympics, the World Expo also occurs every 4 years and is also a cultural experience that brings the entire world together. If you’ve never heard of the World Expo, its basically a fair that has a theme (this year its “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”) and has different pavilions hosted by countries around that world. I actually had the opportunity to attend the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai and it was magnificent and truly a once in a lifetime eye opening experience. I felt like the visit offered me the chance to experience countries that I hadn’t visited yet (and may never have the chance to visit). I was able to soak in different cultures and taste all types of cuisines. Yes, the Expo was extremely crowded and that resulted in insanely long lines into pavilions, but it was still worth it. I highly suggest visiting the World Expo and as it runs from October 2020 to April 2021, you’ll have a chance to see it in 2021 if Dubai isn’t in the cards for you for 2020. Aside from the World Expo, Dubai is also home to the Burj Khalifa- the tallest building in the world. Take the opportunity to snap some timeless selfies with the structure and then head to the observatory deck on the 125th floor to look out over the beautiful city. With that as the backdrop, plus beautiful sandy beaches and a glimpse at life in the Middle East, Dubai is for sure a must for 2020.
Jamaica
As Jamaicans prepare to celebrate Bob Marley’s 75th birthday, we tourists should look forward to tons of celebrations, parties, and so much more. Jamaica is a great place to visit any year, but with the added hype this year its even more of a destination. In addition to celebrating the reggae singer’s birthday (at his own museum the Bob Marley Museum perhaps?), there’s also the option to participate in a guided hike to Ochos Rios, a gorgeous water fall, relax along the Seven Mile Beach, or tour some of the coffee plantations that dot the island.
Park City, UT
I chose Park City as my first trip of 2020 for a reason! After showcasing the cinematic gold that is The Farewell, the Sundance Film Festival has continued to increase in popularity. I love independent films and Sundance is famous for bringing to life several top notch indie films such as, The Farewell and Brittany Runs a Marathon The film festival is also set in the most idyllic winter wonderland. Park City has some pretty great slopes, tons of gorgeous mountains, cozy coffee shops, and free shuttles that bring you from site to site. Its only located 40 minutes outside of Salt Lake City so if the wintery abodes in Park City are too pricey, then staying in SLC is a really great affordable option that allows you to experience 2 wonderful cities at a much lower cost. Also, check out this standup paddle board yoga and snowshoeing adventure!
Rijeka, Croatia
Named as one of two European Capitals of Culture, Rijeka is a must visit destination for 2020. Cultural capitals are chosen for their diversity in culture and are required to host a multitude of festivals and events throughout the year. This requirement isn’t a big deal for Rijeka, which is already known for its abundance of festivals. Visitors can look forward to the Rijeka Carnival in February, the Puppet Theater Festival in October, the International Jazz Festival in November, and so much more. Bonus- its a beautiful port city, which means there’s going to be gorgeous scenery as the icing on the cake!
Galway, Ireland
Galway is the other European Cultural Capital and plans to showcase its rich history in literature, art, and music throughout 2020. The city is known for its medieval walls, pub culture, live traditional Irish music, and scenic natural beauty. Located 2 hours west of Dublin, its ideal as a day trip or as a stand alone vacation.
Orlando, FL
Trying to decide where to go in the Fall? Orlando is the perfect destination. Mainly because of 3 events- Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, Epcot’s Wine and Beer Festival, and Universal’s Haunted Horror Nights. As a lover of suspense, Disney, and wine, all 3 events are a dream for me. Expert tip- reserve your tickets and lodging in advance because Disney fans are NO JOKE. Everything books up fast! Many previous attendees to Haunted Horror Nights also suggest forking over the extra cash to purchase the Fast Pass (which costs more than the actual ticket!) because the lines are crazy and there isn’t enough time otherwise to experience the 10 haunted houses plus the rides that are open at night. Word on the street is that Harry Potter world stays open late into the night!
Louisville, KY
They say that a lady must be two things- classy and fabulous. And the best place to be both classy and fabulous is definitely the Kentucky Derby, which takes place in Louisville every May. Filled with women in extravagant hats, people dressed in their Sunday hats, and the pounding of horse feet, the Derby promises to be a fun and interesting event. If you can’t make it out to Louisville in May, there are other opportunities to get dressed up and see the horse races at Keeneland in Lexington, Kentucky (about 1.5 hours outside Louisville). There’s also a chance to tour Churchill Downs, where the Derby takes place.
Ottawa, Canada
Unbeknownst to many people, Toronto and Vancouver are not the capitals of Canada. In fact, the smaller French city of Ottawa is! Every May it hosts an internationally recognized Tulip Festival to celebrate the tulips gifted to them from the Netherlands after World War II as a symbol of friendship. The Tulip Festival is a great opportunity to see fields of brightly colored tulips and meet people from all around the world. The festival takes place this year from May 8-18. Ottawa is also located across the Ottawa River from its sister city, Gatineau, so kill two birds with one stone and venture into another Canadian city!
Singapore
Ever since Crazy Rich Asians dropped, Singapore has been the forefront of every traveler’s mind. People are curious to see this city of wealth, cleanliness, and beauty. And Singapore does not disappoint! Its Changi Airport extension recently opened and WOW is it amazing- there is a giant mall, waterfalls, and even a movie theater! Your Airbnb kicked you out early? Hit up the Airport and experience the coolness that is Singapore. The city also boasts an amazing infinity pool located in the luxurious Marina Bay Sands Hotel, which is shaped like a boat on top of 3 buildings. Most of us will never be a crazy rich Asian, but visiting Singapore will allow us to pretend to be one at least for a few days!
I apologize for the lack of photos in this post- I haven’t been to many of these destinations myself and don’t have personal photos to share! If you’ve been to any of these locations and want to share your photo on Toast and Travel, email me!
